ENGLISH Heritage has slammed Pendle Council's decision to declare Whitefield in Nelson as a 'clearance area' accusing them of dismissing the wishes of residents and failing to undertake any assessment of the historical value of the area.

Judith Nelson, regional land use planner for English Heritage in the North West, was called to give evidence yesterday at the inquiry into the council's plans to compulsory purchase the first 160 of the 400 houses it wants to demolish.

She said: "In Nelson the case for clearance has not in the view of the English Heritage been clearly justified as the best way forward for this area. The wishes of the local community have not been adequately taken into account and there is no evidence that the council has undertaken any prior evaluation of the historic environment in formulating policies for the future development and renewal of the area."

She also said council officers had dismissed residents' claims that their homes were not unfit to live in, the council had not paid due regard to local policies on housing renewal and she pointed out that it was only since the council had acquired houses and boarded them up that the area appeared run down.

But as the public inquiry goes in to its third day local MP Gordon Prentice has given his backing to the council.

He said: "English Heritage will be presenting evidence at the inquiry and they have to prove not only that the area is unique but that they can underwrite the cost of regenerating the area.

"Pendle Council's proposals to demolish some properties and build new larger homes are done with the best intentions.

"They are trying to tackle the issue of bad housing and are not out to destroy communities."

The council has agreed terms with the owners of 90 houses with 56 of those already having been bought. The average price offered for the houses under a compulsory purchase order is around £16,300.

Independent chartered surveyor, Leslie Lang, advised the council on its concept plan.

When cross examined yesterday by Eian Caws, the barrister for English Heritage, Mr Lang said the intention of the council was to make some of the houses affordable for members of the existing Whitefield community and said that, although the council did not require any of the houses to be social housing, they would be suitable for either social or private housing.